Summary The position is telework eligible consistent with the Agency’s telework and remote work program policy. This position is in the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Finance and Operations (OFO), Executive Office. The position requires the performance of a variety of program-related assignments. The incumbent is responsible for providing operational services to Supervisor and program support staff in the areas of meeting operational objectives. Responsibilities APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 150 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 150th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Program Specialist, GS-0301-07, you will be responsible for: Performing Special assignments/projects for the Executive Office. Serving as liaison between the Department staff and the Executive Office. Scheduling meetings and making necessary arrangements for in person, hybrid, or virtual participants. Developing and maintaining databases using Excel and other databases applications. Requirements Conditions of Employment Relocation will not be paid Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Must be a U.S. Citizen. You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period. Must Complete a Background Investigation and Fingerprint check. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. We will consider all qualifying experience, including any volunteer experience. TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: You may be eligible for occasional telework in which you are required to report to the office on a regular basis. Participation must be requested and approved by the supervisor and there must be a signed telework agreement. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, emergency situations, the approval of your immediate supervisor. You must have access to high speed internet and cell phone service meeting current Agency policy from the approved work location. Qualifications Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-07, if you possess the specialize experience, education, or a combination of the two. Specialized Experience for the GS-7 One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-05 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience gathering information, coordinating input, and making recommendations. 2. Experience communicating orally and in writing to present recommendations and coordinate efforts. 3. Experience using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. OR EDUCATION (see EDUCATION SECTION of the vacancy announcement) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). Knowledge of organizational practices and policies and program/management operations sufficient to conduct research, locate and assemble background material for the supervisor's use, and to respond to substantive inquiries from a variety of sources. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in presenting recommendations and coordinating efforts with Department staff. Ability to develop and compile a variety of administrative reports to meet specific requests. Skill in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel at an intermediate level. Education You may meet the minimum qualifications of this position by meeting the following education options. Minimum Qualification Requirements For GS-7 Completion of one full academic year of graduate level education. OR Completion of a bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement. OR A combination of specialized experience and education that when taken as a percentage of the required education and experience total 100% or more. Superior Academic Achievement is based on one of the three following criteria: 1) Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision based on completed courses. 2) Grade – Point Average (GPA): Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a.) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b.) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Grade-point averages will be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. 3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, please click Foreign Education. Additional Information Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email srorecruiting@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures. Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure. Bargaining Unit: This position is included in the bargaining unit (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252). Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.
